The MataBlog is edited by Matador Records’ co-moaner Gerard Cosloy and individual entries are the work of whoever’s name is next to them. If you enjoyed something in the MataBlog, thank you very much! If there was something you found particularly troubling, please be advised that a) maybe you should read it again and b) the contents of this blog do not necessarily represent the opinions of Matador Records, Beggars Group, the combined staff of either company, nor the Matador artist roster. Opinions are like friends — hardly anyone has one worth listening to.

(Matador's 2018 Person Of The Year Jered Thretin wants you to know that by reading these lists, you're part of the illusion)

Around this time every year, your long-suffering editor attempts to coax a list of favorite recordings, books, television programs, life events, etc. out of the label’s artist roster and our show business friends. In the past, the exercise has been an exacting process, fraught with nagging, teeth-gnashing and no shortage of reluctant participants, some of whom actually changed labels or places of employment or their identities/physical appearances to avoid the chore. Even worse, we sometimes overlook persons currently recording for or working for the record label (either that or they’ve saving their lists for a website people actually read).

For some historical perspective, here’s last year’s selections. Questions or comments about our crap taste and/or inexplicable omissions are welcome (but NOT THAT WELCOME) . And without further ado, let the coronation of Mitski commence – GC)

Steve Gunn2018Daniel Carter, Hamid Drake, William Parker set at TroostMarc Morgan last solo show in NYC for a while at Union PoolJoshua Abrahms Natural Information Society at the Hideout, ChicagoDrinking wine with Roy Montgomery in ChristChurchJessica PrattRichard ThompsonCoolio coming to my show in LA and saying what’s up after my set.Yo La TengoLoren Connors & Alan Licht DuoMathew ShippTom Carter /Pat Murano Duo at LuncheonetteHeron OblivionBob Dylan doing a 15 minute band melt version of Blowing in The Wind at the Met in Philadelphia. I rushed the stageKa BairdBody HeadSun Ra Arkestra

Flying in two seater biplane with no windows around New Zealand with a fan who offered to take me on a flight the morning after my show.Jennifer CastleWorld of Echo record store LondonWatching Dave Burrell play piano while sitting directly above him from the balcony

TELLY:The Handmaid's Tale, Season 2: The travails of Offred beyond the original novel had no reason to be this compelling, yet they were.Atlanta, Season 2: Ageing out in the music industry so beautifully portrayed here.My Beautiful Friend: obvs.

FILM:Nico, 1988

FOOTBALL:

AFC Bournemouth 2 - 2 Newcastle Utd, Dean Court, 24th February: The plucky Cherries scored twice in the last 10 minutes to tie things up and leave Ryan Mahan with a whole lot of egg on his face.

BEST CELEBRITY BEEF:Lana Del Rey vs Azalea Banks

BEST VIEW:Castelmola, Sicily

MOST PENIS PARAPHERNALIA GATHERED IN ONE PLACE:Caffe Bar Turrisi, Castelmola, Sicily(honourable mention to the Air BnB in Chinatown NYC for the suitcase full of dildos hidden beneath the couch)

1. Goat - ‘Let It Burn’“The Gävle Goat is a Christmas display erected annually in Gävle, Sweden. It is a giant goat figure made of straw. It has become famous for being destroyed in arson attacks, and despite security measures, the goat has been burned to the ground thirty-seven times since its first appearance in 1966.” The song is good too.

highlights/loves from 2018: seeing Kurt Vile open for Neil Young in Quebec City, launch of @rasmixtapes, every second spent at deer mountain inn, Interpol press conference in Mexico City, Marfa Myths, my brilliant friend (show + books), tropical fuck storm video for "you let my tyres down," (above) Taylor from Billions, The Sadies and Kurt playing "Albuquerque" on the lawn of a haunted house in the Catskills, the favourite & mission impossible fallout, a mixtape with a blue watercolor given to me recently, new chris cohen song "edit out"

Rosemont Bar, Brooklyn NY : Crystal Mesh presents a delightfully intimate karaoke-ki hosted by DJ Paradise. On this particular evening, a young lithe gentleman performed the classically coy 1986 hit “We Don’t Have To Take Our Clothes Off” by Jermaine Stewart. As the song progressed, said gentleman slowly started removing ALL of his layers (it was March brrRRrr) until he reached the end of the song, and the end of his wardrobe. He finished the number completely nude, holding the mic in one hand, and his bravery in the other.

The Cat’s Meow, New Orleans LA : There’s a tender balance when traveling, to avoid the obvious and embrace the peculiar. But proximity and a Why Not attitude can tip the scales sometimes and lead you to a Bourbon Street (GASP) karaoke bar. Twas the weekend before Halloween, my two favorite things coming together, a time when people can embarrass publically preen visually and audibly in a mélange of chaos. Sexy Jesus was my bartender, a skull masked man sang Thriller like a pro, the staff broke into a line dancing rendition of Footloose, and our favorite socially awkward slasher Michael Myers was spotted waving his machete in glee to the Friends Theme Song. A friend watched the video I took of him, and aptly noted “He’s such a RACHEL”.

The Karaoke Hole (K-Hole to all the clever darlings out there), London UK : I trekked out to this basement haunt by myself one night, because my quest to always find the next best spot is unyielding. When I walked in, a young unassuming man was singing Mariah Carey “Fantasy” and I knew I was in the right place. The scantily clad drag queen host Rhys’ Pieces brought the vibes and an insanely accurate version of Missy Elliott “Work It”, with backwards lyrics and matching choreo to boot.

Celtica Pub, Newport RI : On the heels of my first Newport Folk Festival came a splendiferous night of ‘Roke in a dark Irish bar with a KJ who was deaf in one ear. Walking up to the door of the place, I met my future ex-husband, Cowboy Doug, who had taken the cordless mic outside and was singing on the sidewalk, staring at the crowd through the window. Later on he wowed me with his rendition of Marc Cohn’s “Walking in Memphis” , closing with “But do I really feel the way I feel? YEAH I DO, Im really feelin that shit tonight, Bro.” And yes, he did make that hat.

Today marks 10 years since the passing of John Peel, a man who opened the BBC radio airwaves for bands and artists outside the remit of the stations "regular" programming and opened the minds of thousands listening at home to sounds they otherwise may have never heard. One of the original BBC Radio 1 DJs, throughout his 5-decade spanning career he never showed no signs of slowing down and his influence on (the good part) of modern music is immeasurable.

As a small tribute to the many Matador bands who recorded a Peel Session over the years, we've compiled a selection of some of the session that made it on to YouTube, (many - including The Fall, Wisdom Of Harry and Pretty Girls Make Graves - haven't) and there's a full archive of all the Peel sessions over at the BBC Website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/johnpeel/sessions/.

Memphis guitar genius and songwriter Teenie Hodges, the Hi Rhythm Section linchpin whose accompaniment of artists including, but not limited to Al Green, Ann Peebles, Otis Clay, Syl Johnson and our own Chan Marshall are just a portion of his legacy, passed away Sunday at the age of 68. Our thoughts this morning are with the family, friends and musical collaborators

There's few reading this who didn't have their adolescence or adulthood dramatically improved by the songs of Railroad Jerk / White Hassle founder Marcellus Hall. Following a fantastic solo LP in 2011, 'The First Line',, he'd like to put the finishing touches on another masterpiece, but (see above) your assistance would be appreciated..

In addition, here's a trailer for Hall's new children's book, 'Everyone Sleeps'.

(above : angry mob reacts to the news that at least two or 3 people didn't even mention the Total Control 7")

Around this time every year, your overpaid overworked editor attempts to coax a list of favorite recordings, books, television programs, life events, etc. out of the label's artist roster and our rock biz colleagues. In the past, the exercise has been an arduous process, fraught with nagging, teeth-gnashing and no shortage of reluctant participants. In more recent times, however, the serial oversharing epidemic that's run rampant throughout all online activity has infected our bands and staff alike. The rhetorical question, "who fucking asked you?" cannot be applied in this instance, because they were all asked. For some historical perspective, here's last year's pile. Questions or comments about our lousy tastes and/or blatant omissions are welcome (but not necessarily appreciated). And away we go!

Damian Abraham, Fucked Up

My fav records that I acquired off my want list this year:

Da Slyme - "st" (with 1/1 FUCKED UP "Couple Tracks cover" haha) DBLP- I got this thru Hits and Misses (RIP) in Toronto but it came from the drummer I believe. It didn't have a cover but the covers were just spraypainted covers of random records, so my friend Woody made me a copy of his cover and I recreated the stencil on a Fucked Up lp. A seminal Canadian record that I have wanted since I read about it in the Smash the State lp insert.

From Rotate This in Toronto. A top tier Killed By Death jam if there ever was one. Dutch punk so good that when asked what it sounds like all I can offer is: "Kindaperfect"

Slapshot - "Back On The Map" LP - Test Press #16 (my lucky number)Traded this from my brother for a record I had given my wife. Does that make me a bad person?

Deja Voodoo - "Hiekkaa Hietarannan" 7" - I bought this from the guy that did our show in Tampere. The og lo-fi garage two piece's hardestto find single... in their native Canada at-least.

V/A - "Triple Cross Counter Tour Compilation" 7" -The last Bastard record I needed and I managed to have exactly enough cash on me to buy it and still have enough change to get back to the hotel on the subway as I was facing the nightmare scenario of having a bank card that wouldn't work while in a Japanese record store.

LSD - "Jast Last" ("dead model" cover) 7" - Bought this on an earlier trip this year to Japan. Buying Japanese hardcore records in Japan is the perk of being in a touring band that I had desired the longest... Yay me!

Dezerter - "Underground Out Of Poland" LPI found this at She Said Boom in Toronto having looked for it forever. Polish hardcore that was smuggled out from behind the iron curtain by Joey Keithley from Canadian hardcore legends DOA (who sadly called it a day this year so: RIP). RAGING political hardcore produced under a government that wasn't always the biggest fan of such expression I would imagine.

Kiddeo - "Kids Can Rock" LP -Picked this up at Sonic Boom in Toronto. A soundtrack album for the 80's kid's tv show. I grew up clowning on this show with my brother. A show for kids featuring a clown make-up wearing rock and roll band was sure to raise the ire of a precocious surly eight year old. Now as a parent I yearn for this to be put into reruns so I could watch it with my three year old.

d.b.s. - "Snowball" 7"Another trade pick up. I first saw the video for this song on The Wedge (the tv show I host now... watch... please). Although they were not the first punk band I had ever heard, they were the first band that showed me that I could do it too. They were a bunch of kids slightly older then my 14 year old self touring the world and playing punk. It made me want to start my first band... who was nowhere near as good as d.b.s. While this is not an exceptionally valuable record it took me forever to find it.

Negative Approach "st" (rejected test press) 7"The source shall remain anonymous but I did have to sell close to 400 records out of the collection to buy it. The record itself needs no introduction. The rejected test press was the holy grail of record collecting for mesince I learnt of it's existence 12 years ago. I had a chance to get it and I went for it... if for no other reason than to prevent the 23 year old from traveling thru time and space to beat my ass for not going for it.

My favourite records of the year were"Angels of darkness, demons of light II" by Earth and "WIXIW" By Liars. Earth for soundtracking strolls around the city at both day and night. The Liars record is probably my favourite of theirs, the style and sounds they use on it really suit them.

Best live show, hands down, Swans at Koko. Totally captivating.

Saw some cool films, " Beasts of the Southern Wild" was probably my favourite fictional one. The father/daughter relationship in that is a thing of beauty. Set against this crazy apocalyptic bayou setting called The Bathtub, a real top film in my opinion. As for documentaries "Nostalgia for the light" and "Marina Abramovich, the artist is always present" were really fascinating and inspiring respectively.Gregg Foreman ~ Cat Power / Pink Mountaintops / Black Ryder / The Meek

'Autoluminescent' - Rowland Howard Film (2011 but wasn't available for USA til 2012)'Lawless' - (Film written by Nick Cave)Cold Cave / American Nightmare - (Live)Willis Earl Beale - (Live)Chelsea Wolfe - 'Unknown Rooms' (LP)Cat Power - 'Sun' (Ha had to , but it is a great record)Austin Psych Fest 2012 - Music Festival produced by the Black Angels in Austin TxThe Laurels - Aussie Psych BandStrangers Family Band - Live (Los Angeles Psychedelia produced by Steve Kille of Dead Meadow)

My ten favourite days of 2012:1. April 13-15, 20-22: Meeting Snoop Dog, Dave Chapelle, and Fred Armison at Coachella2. June 1-2: Primavera Sound3. June 17: Doing mushrooms at the MMVA's and losing4. July 29: Playing Fuji Rock in Japan and winning5. August 4: Playing Sappyfest in New Brunswick6. August 5-9: Visiting St. John's, Newfoundland7. August 31: Playing Mexico City for the first time8. September 24: Being nominated for a second Polaris Prize9. November 3-4: Playing back-to-back shows in Tokyo and Austin10. November 22-24: Playing Turkey for the first time.

Thurston Moore, Chelsea Light Moving, Sonic Youth

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YH6BamI1gsM[/youtube]

1.The ZZZ's (live at the Jellyfish Brother’s crib, Miami FLA) I went down to play a solo gig in Mami during Art Basel and the next morning I'm having Cubano breakfast with Rat Bastard. We're gonna do a secret noise show in a warehouse that night and when I walk out on the street to lick some sunrays this kid comes up to me and sez he's the son of David Amram (jazz bop poet pianist who pal'd around with Kerouac) and he's touring around with a Japanese girl trio and they're looking for a gig. I say "hold on", and I fetch Rat and he meets them and they say "we are noise group" and he sez "be at the warehouse at midnight and you can play" and they do and they are AMAZING. A cross between Gong and Teenage jesus. I haven't stood there so enjoyingly stunned in front of a band since maybe seeing Afri Rampo (also Japanese girl noise) tear shit up when they first came over ten years ago.

2. Richard Hell — I Dreamed I was a Very Clean Tramp: An Autobiography (Ecco books) - I been waiting to read Hell’s memoir since hearing excerpts of it from his strange mouth a solid year or so ago. I was taken aback as he talked of his relationship with Tom Verlaine, his cohort and co-founder of Television, one of the most significant groups in the lineage New York City rock n roll history. He exposed his retrospective feelings of their difficult friendship without contempt or vitriol but allowing the realiy of emotional discomfort that such alien boys may have with each other come under some personal analysis. This is “Life” for those of us who become dreamy when considering the advent of punk rock. Hell’s details can be knowingly sloppy but their’s enough prosaic insight here to send chills down any punk rock historian’s spine. I mean he did invent this shit.

3. Café Oto (music café, Dalston East London) - I have big time reasons to relocate to London these days, and the closer I can be to Café Oto the better. At least three times a week this joint hosts startling perfromances of musc from in and out of the margins. Improvisor legends old and young, traveling radical noise creeps, song stretchers, dance, theatre — I just spent three nights there with The Ex where they curated a showcase celebrating their 33 1/3 years as a band. Every minute was awesome. Incredible zone with no stage and killer shochu (with cold green tea – recommended) and very good, friendly vibes. Up the street is the Vortex for most straight up avant jazz action. Fuck it, I like the rain.

4. The jazz kissas of Tokyo Japan — I’m not much of bar hanger outer at all, even though I mention Café Oto and I do like to swill shaggys at Great Jones Café as poured by Mark Ibold but after all the years of hitting Japan and beelining around to the record sttores that have the best revenue of 2nd hand jazz vinyl IN THE UNIVERSE I never knew to much abut the culture of the “jazz kissa”. This is a joint that serves sake, beer and coffee and spins jazz LPs exclusively on perfectly tuned hi fi analog sound equipment. The most famous one in Shinjuku is DIG which started in the early 60s and advertised itself as supplying “Booze + Jazz”. I spent an evening there looking through the scrapbooks of it’s owner where he shot photos of Thelonious Monk, Ornette Coleman, Miles Davis – everyone — and a lot of these cats, back in the day, would set up in the corner sometimes and rip a session. The jazz kissa, a throwback to the heady day of post war Japan when American jazz became a rallying sound of imperialist liberation, may be a quaint reminder of bygone times but the ones that do exist, and some are rather recent, are exquisite. I happened upon one in the Jimbocho area where all the used bookstores are, called Big Boy. It had an awesome sound system, almost akin to the way reggae sound systems are, as far as fetishization goes, and when I asked to hear a track off a Bill Evans LP, the proprietor pulled out a mint mono copy and a stereo one as well and asked which I’d like to hear. I chose mono, natch, and then and there Bill Evans, long thought deceased, appeared in the room with attendant piano, CONJURED!

Visuals/eventsRise And Fall of Apartheid - International Center of Photography (NYC)Yayoi Kusama exhibit - Tate Modern (London)Adam Fuchs - all that Captain Murphy shitRock And Roll Billboards of the Sunset Strip by Robert Landau (Blake says 2013 is gonna get real tight)Flying Lotus - that whole campaignSleigh Bells - the first few things on that campaignPS1 Warmup (props to Dean, Chen and crew!)The Bell Labs complex in Holmdel, NJ (unofficial tour)

1. The Men - Open Your Heart (Sacred Bones) - Few albums this year got me as supremely stoked upon each listen as this one. It absolutely shreds, while perfectly showcasing a band taking their already-established strengths and pushing them into a whole new territory. The spacey jammed-out tracks are equally as engaging as the straight up face-melters, sometimes even more so, and the first two songs alone are worth the price of admission. I saw them over the summer and the set was pretty much all completely new material, stuff that was on some serious modern-day Neil Young type shit. Can’t wait to hear what they do next.

2. Perfume Genius - Put Your Back N 2 It (Matador) - Beautiful. Just beautiful. Every track is equal parts devastating heartbreak and (somehow) joyous, uplifting hope. And that fact the he can implement that formula 12 times in a row, each time at three and a half minutes or less, without it ever losing any of its potency is totally mind-blowing. The dude just gets it. The aural definition of the word “sublime”.

3. Liars - WIXIW (Mute) - Over the summer I was working this job in downtown Brooklyn that would usually have me getting out around 1-2am, and for about two weeks this is literally all I would listen to during my long and lonely commute home on the G train. It just seemed to fit so well because, much like living in a giant urban sprawl such as New York, the whole album has this pervading feeling of nervous, passive dread; it’s like sensing some really terrible force (be it physical, mental, or spiritual) existing somewhere just beyond the surface that never chooses to fully show itself. It’s always there but you can’t quite put your finger on it. And that’s what really scares you.

4. Ceremony - Zoo (Matador) - There are still moments when I play this album and can hardly believe that it came from a group of guys whose first album (and overall M.O.) was “Violence Violence”. Making fast brutal noise is all well and good, and I love hardcore just as much as the next guy who grew up in suburban Pennsylvania/New Jersey/Long Island. But I’m also a sucker for a great pop hook and solid musicianship, and here they brilliantly balance the best of both worlds while also proving just how well-versed they are musically. I mean, shit! Some tracks on here are almost straight up surf rock! It rules! I honestly feel that any of their old fans who trash this record simply need to grow the fuck up. It’s clear that Ceremony has, and man, just listen to what happened.

5. Dirty Projectors - Swing Lo Magellan (Domino) - A lot of people nowadays (myself included) are pretty quick to write off Brooklyn’s current indie rock giants. Animal Collective has gotten too weird and annoying (even by their standards), Grizzly Bear has gotten too frumpy and boring, etc. But these guys, I just can’t deny ‘em. Their output has been so consistently strong, and I sincerely believe that this is the best record they’ve ever made. Again, a perfect combination of styles old and new. The first time I heard that riff kick in on Offspring Are Blank I actually had a minor physical freak-out over how good it was. Chills throughout my body, shaky hands, the works. Granted, I was insanely stoned at the time, but nonetheless. The whole record plays through on this totally weirdo neo-White-Album-era-Beatles wavelength and the results are just really, really pleasurable.

6. Menomena - Moms (Barsuk) - After everything these guys have been through they could have either called it quits or just started putting out really mediocre records, but instead they’ve worked through all their inner turmoils and come back stronger than ever. Further reason as to why they’re one of my absolute favorite current bands.

7. Ty Segall Band - Slaughterhouse (In The Red) - Everything he put out this year was solid, but this one definitely trumps them all for me. It just fucking rips.

8. Dan Deacon - America (Domino) - Gorgeous, intelligent, transcendent. And above all else, like with the rest of his records you can still totally lose your mind and dance like a maniac to it. The whole USA suite is concrete proof that the man is an absolute genius and a true modern-day composer.

9. Godspeed You! Black Emperor - Allelujah! Don’t Bend! Ascend! (Constellation) - Really didn’t see this one coming (hell, no one did) so my inner-16-year-old was absolutely ECSTATIC when, in typical Godspeed fashion, it kind of just quietly appeared out of nowhere one day back in October. The night that Hurricane Sandy hit the city I was holed up alone in my apartment getting drunk with this blasting on repeat, totally anticipating the end of world.

10. Thee Oh Sees - Putrifiers II (In The Red) - Another year, another fantastic album from Dwyer and Co. At this point I don’t think it’s possible that they’ll ever put out a recording I won’t like.

performances / exhibits..."Misterman" at St. Ann's Warehouse, Brooklyn (technically saw this very late in December 2011)The Stones at the Barclays, Brooklyn (Dec.8) (I've not even gone to this show as of submission deadline but assuming I'll want it on the list)The Everymen at everywhereMaurizio Cattelan: All, Guggenheim

print...Cloud Atlas by David MitchellThe Sense Of An Ending by Julian BarnesA Very Irregular Head: The Life of Syd Barrett by Rob ChapmanMaking It New: The Art and Style of Sara and Gerald Murphy by Deborah RothschildThe Paris Wife by Paula McLainNYMag weekly crosswordBlake Thomas, Beggars Group

Visiting LA for the first time and hanging out with Chrissy and the guys from Activision at Venice BeachHaving dim sum with our sub publishers for SE Asia in Hong Kong whilst on vacation over thereSuccessfully completing 3 half marathons in London, Brighton and RichmondThe 4AD party in New York in JuneLearning to sail a yachtAlbums of the year -Django DjangoCat PowerShows of the year:Bobby Womack at the Apple instore in soho, New YorkMagnetic North at Wilton's music hall in east LondonEsben and the Witch at Heaven in central LondonLemonade at Madame Jo Jo's in central LondonSBTRKT at Reading festival

It's out October 9, but today you get a first listen at A.C. Newman's third solo effort ‘Shut Down The Streets’ Do yourself a favor and check out what in our completely unbiased opinion we believe to be 10 of the best songs ever put to tape. Then, do your friends a favor and send them this link. Carl, via a blogging on the Huffington Post, sez:

Here is my album, Shut Down The Streets. Maybe you know me from The New Pornographers, and you may recognize Neko Case's voice in these songs, you may even think "This one sounds so much like a New Pornographers song" and you may ask yourself "Who the hell are the New Pornographers?" All that aside, this album is all about birth, death, happiness and sadness, chronicling a time in my life where all those things had to learn to coexist side by side. There was that and a sudden obsession with the song "Baker Street" by Gerry Rafferty. That led to an obsession with the psychedelic sounds of the late 70s singer songwriter. So my most personal songs ever somehow made the most sense when I played them in a mutated version of an outdated style from my childhood. That's just how things go.

You can own ‘Shut Down The Streets’ on the LP, CD or digital formats next Tuesday. Grab it at The Matador Store (first 300 LP’s are on green vinyl) or at your favorite music retailler.

Because the haze of summer dayz has taken hold, it's time to remind everyone that Lee Ranaldo starts up an East Coast tour with Wilco tomorrow night at Wolf Trap in Virginia. This summer tour has Lee in NYC next week for a Celebrate Brooklyn show at Prospect Park and a spot on the line-up at WXPN's XPoNential Festival in Philly (technically Camden), among a number of other shows listed below.

We're also happy to be able to share with you a brand new Rolling Stone session that Lee did with his full band (Steve Shelley, Alan Licht, and Irwin Menken). It launched today, and it's definitely worth checking out! CLICK HERE TO DO SO

In case you were wondering what A.C. Newman's been up to during the slight lull the New Pornographers' heavy road-warrioring behind 2010's excellent 'Together'... well, what we can tell you is he's just recorded this great cover of Leonard Cohen's "Hey, That's No Way To Say Goodbye". Watch it below, and knowing Carl, we can be sure there's probably a lot more in the pipeline.

(trusty 2011 Matador ballot counters voice displeasure over management cancelling a game that required them to drink 27 shots each time Total Control received a vote)

The whole year-end Best-Of thing has gotten completely out of hand. For starters, I hear Sub Pop published theirs on Labor Day. Spin's list featured 4 albums from the same NYC indie in their top 11 ; even Vladimir Putin thinks there's something screwy going on. Still, even though such polls reek of patronage and self-congratulation, some traditions die hard around here. And without further ado, we present the 2011 edition of "Hey Check Us Out, We Like Cool Stuff". It is our fervent hope that after scanning these lists, you'll never again question our cultural superiority find a hidden gem or two thoroughly ignored by the mainstream media. Or failing that, you won't resent us too much. On behalf of the entire Matador Records family, we thank you for making 2011 one of the least litigious in our history, and here's hoping 2012 is equally crammed with joyous milestones (weddings, births, elective plastic surgeries). Though I'd settle for a new Cat Power album. Lists after the jump ;

1. PUJOL, "Nasty, Brutish, and Short" EP - Nashville trio, fronted by one Daniel Pujol, making tight blasts of noisy power pop with a, dare I say "philosophical?" - YES I DO - "PHILOSOPHICAL" lyrical bent - not unlike a snottier and punker (but still humorous), concerned (but not emo), "Perfect Sound Forever" by some amazing people who, for all I know, may have never even heard "Perfect Sound Forever."2. PUJOL, Live - all of the above plus better (and Mitch, the bass player's, long red hair flopping about).3. DOOM (UK) at Chaos in Tejas - bought the "Police Bastard" 7" from somebody running a distro at ABC-NoRio in 1989, and first met Brian, the guitarist, in 1997, when he drove an old band of mine, The Sin Eaters, on our only UK tour. We began bonding over our mutual respect for our past achievements, but my respect for HIM went nova when he put on Monster Magnet's "Spine of God" followed by Rush's "Caress of Steel" on the night drive from London to Bradford. 2011 in Austin was the only time I've ever seen them live.4. The fact that DOOM played the ENTIRETY of Crass' "Reality Asylum" as their intro music at Chaos in Tejas, 2011 - *TEARS!!*5. Being able to spend a week on the other side of the mic as IFC's roving correspondent at SXSW this year.6. Paulie Gee's pizza, Greenpoint, Brooklyn.7. Jason Pierce (née "Spaceman")'s "Ladies and Gentlemen, we are Floating in Space" (Spiritualized) installation at the Creators' Project Festival, Dumbo, Brooklyn - an audio puzzle, that's secret lay within five different quad mixes arrayed on the floor of a gray open space, lit by four "sun" beams. Emo? In the ancient and best sense - a brain-stirring and heart-moving reminder of how music can transport. Genuis.8. Iberia - TL/Rx tour of ONLY Spain and Portugal, via our label over there, La Castañya (Barcelona). They smoke almost as much as the kids in Florida, and vegan ain't easy, but still, I'd move there before almost anywhere else.9. Summer 2011 midwest tour with Tweak Bird - for us, a chance to revisit a lot of "Tyranny of Distance" stuff on the occasion of its 10th anniversary, AND, we got to do it with this amazing heavy psych-punk-doom duo.10. Comedy in New York and New Jersey - "The Best Show on WFMU," with Tom Scharpling, "Hot Tub" with Kurt Braunohler & Kristin Schall, Kurt's "Night of the Living," "How Was Your Week?" with Julie Klausner, "You had to be There" with Sara Schaeffer and Nikki Glaser, "Mr. Coconuts," with Gabe Delahaye, "Big Terrific" with Max Silvestri, "Pretty Good Friends," with Eugene Mirman, PLUS Ted Alexandro, Todd Barry, Wyatt Cenac, Jena Friedman, etc., etc., etc.11. Comedy in other places - "The Paul F. Tompkins Show," in LA, Scott Aukerman's "Comedy Death Ray" in LA, John Hodgman EVERYWHERE.

1. Call of The Wild is probably the best rock band in 2011 NYC2. Big Youth played to less than a hundred people at a high school gymnasium in Brooklyn3. The Rae Town street dance in downtown Kingston. Best party scene I ever seen.4. I made a Fruitpie the Magician costume for Halloween and won a costume contest. Help save him. http://home.earthlink.net/~fruitpie/5. I got drunk and blathered about nothing in particular I mean “acted in a legit movie” with a buncha lovable lugs. It’s called The Comedy.6. Favorite bar of 2011…TIE between Cocosone bar on Ishigaki Jima and Roku in Shibuya7. Hysteria of Hurricane Irene was pretty funny and thrilling8. Top 3 Jeffrey Jensen live “bands”… Ramones cover band Jeffrey and the Hymen; The Jewish and The Complete Faggots (new trio with Allison and Mike Fellows debuting this Friday)9. I witnessed Booby Valli perform at Colucci’s Restaurant10. Omar Souleyman at Santo’s made an impression

Adam Bohl, Matador Direct I'm always terrible at compiling these lists so I'm not going to overthink things or get too down on myself for everything I left off. 2012 will be the year I keep better track of this stuff (probably not), but here are some LPs and 7"s (that were not associated with Beggars or Matador) that stood out.

1. In The Red Records - I could probably make half of my list with their releases so I'll leave it to one spot, so many great albums this year. Wounded Lion, TV Ghost, Mark Sultan, Thee Oh Sees, etc...2. Shannon and The Clams - Sleep Talk LP- Really surprised how into this record I am. People into Hunx or Nobunny should really pick this up, they'll probably like it more.3. Olivia Tremor Control reissued LPs. A little bit of a guilty pleasure, taking me back to my early college days. Nice to finally have these on vinyl though.4 War On Drugs - Slave Ambient LP. Kurt Vile doesn't make this list because I'm excluding Matador albums but this sister (brother?) band released one hell of an album.5. Wax Museums - Eye Times LP Totally forgot about these guys and upon hearing this played in the office a few times had to go get myself a copy. Not normally into stuff so punk-y but this ones is really catchy and fun

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-va-tbnXL0[/youtube]

6. Grudge - When Christine Comes Around 7" I wish I bought a lot more of all the great 7" reissues coming out this year on labels like Sing Sing and Last Laugh then I did, but I bought this one, and it rules. One song about smashing faces just isn't enough, give me two.7. Apache Dropout LP/ Shot Down 7" (someone get me that Mexican Summer one!) Love the album and 7"s really bummed I haven't seen these guys live yet.8 Happy Thoughts - S/T LP Some of my favorite dudes, glad this thing finally came out even if it does seem a couple years too late and have an awful cover.9. Howling Hex - Wilson Semiconductor LP I always have a soft spot for NMH, even though I haven't been super into the last few records this one seems pretty great so far, especially the B side.10. Charles Bradley - No Time For Dreaming LP It's rad that a killer soul LP can still come out that isn't on some cheesy Mayer Blowhorn tip. It was also awesome seeing him perform in a downpour in Ft. Greene this summer.11. Dow Jones and The Industrials - Can't Stand The Midwest 7" Great reissue, and also from my hometown, West Lafayette represent.

top stuff of 2011.-going to the Grammys-going to the Moth with my friend Ben and Mishka Shubaly and then listening to the Moth podcast religiously-learning how to make a terrarium-finally watching The Wire-watching Angus pretend to play any instrument he can get his hands on

-Saskatchewan in the summer-going to London and seeing Jarvis Cocker in the Rough Trade office-Getting Jeffrey Lewis in the New York Times-Lambrusco-eating the pork belly at Bozu-turning 40-Calgel nail art-Cutting For Stone, by Abraham Verghese - the best book I've read in YEARS.http://www.amazon.com/Cutting-Stone-Abraham-Verghese/dp/0375714367/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1323792026&sr=8-1-and finally, Patrick Stickles on Twitter.

Gabe Spierer, Beggars Group

Fucked Up - David Comes To Life: none of the albums on this list are ranked, except this one. It was my favorite, most-played record of 2011 and one of the most invigorating rock records I have heard since the last Fucked Up album. Fists were pumped.Kleenex Girl Wonder - Secret Thinking: Graham Smith has amazed me for many many years , but for him to pull out a classic, this far in...wow. Please check this record out.Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks - Mirror TrafficDiscovering DMX after ignoring him in high school and beyond (Flesh Of My Flesh, Blood Of My Blood and It's Dark And Hell Is Hot are especially great). Dude is just mean.Fleet Foxes - Helplessness BluesMaya Evans JuddTimes New Viking - Dancer EquiredAtlas Sound - ParallaxDon Trip and Star Lito - StepbrothersMeeting Of Important People - S/TGucci Mane - Writing On The Wall 2Oscar Osceola SpiererCat's Eyes - Cat's Eyes

Other great stuff in 2011:Making my first trip to New York and acting the total tourist, only skimming the surface of the city.Running took over my life a bit this year, I competed in my first race and finished a half marathon in 1:32.52, leaving me to only aim higher for 2012.My US West coast vacation - I loved Seattle, Portland and San Francisco in different ways and had the greatest 2 weeks.I didn't spend enough time watching watching enough new tv shows, but BBC's Human Planet and Frozen Planet were both incredible.I didn't read as much as I should do (again) but Born To Run was a highlight from what I did manage to get through.I took the plunge and moved in with the girlfriend. I won't let her put up her ugly painting in our bedroom, whilst she think's the Tim Hecker record is trying to brainwash me. So far, so good.

Aims for next year:Run a 1:30 half marathonGet a ticket for at least one of the London Olympics basketball eventsTravel moreSurvive the apocalypse and get to go to an NBA game.

Lisa Gottheil, Beggars Group

My top 10 of 2011

1. The release of Hudson Scott Lewis, born on 2/27. He's super cute.

2. Friday Night Lights took over my life for a few months and I fell in love with Tim Riggins. I miss him and think about him daily.

And in no particular order with the rest of this list:3. Titus Andronicus / Fucked Up in the round4. Seeing Scratch Acid. Getting to be their publicist for the tour5. Neon Swine6. Kicking some ass (by luck) in the Sensative Beggars League. Go Flatiron Tight-Enz

7. The return of Sean Avery to the NY Rangers8. Friendly Fires in Central Park9. Ratatat in Central Park10. Murakami

Honorary mention: Domino State - Uneasy Lies The Crown - Exhibition (record came out in 2010, but I only found it this year. Would have made my top-5 if I'd heard in on time or it came out this year)

Top-10 Stuff and Things1t. Parke Trafford Goldstein1t. Piper Alyssa Goldstein3. June 6, 2011, 6:45AM and 6:47 AM. The day and time my life changed forever. For the better4. Eleven Madison Park. Finest restaurant in NYC? Gets my vote5. Manchester United v. MLS All-Stars. A chance to see United on US soil, from the front row?!?! Yes please, and thank you.6. Num Pang. Cambodian take the banh mi. Favorite sandwich of the year.7. The drive from Miami to Key West. Well, parts of it. Some of the smaller keys were amazing to drive around and explore.8. RBC Coffee. Finally, good coffee below Canal.9. Wailea, HI. Cheating here, since I won't be there until December 27, but definitely looking forward to some R&R.10. French Laundry. Again, cheating, but will finally be eating there in the very near future and is there any way it doesn't make the list?

Hagino Tiger Reid (Hostess, Japan)

Konichiwa, Somethings I remember from 2011.Adele.Missing Cheese.Flea Market selling.Meeting Gruff Rhys.Massive Earthquake.Drinking in Bann, Yutenji.Yosuke moving to Osaka.Giving up smoking (I hope).Watching Pulp at Primavera.A caravan in Camber Sands.Lots of aftershock earthquakes.Gang Gang Dance "Eye Contact".Fucked Up "David Comes To Life"Volunteering in the north of Japan.Haruki Murakami, 1Q84 finishing all 3.Florence And The Machine "Ceremonial"Been mistaken for a member of Warpaint.Cycling around Amsterdam with my sisters.Owning a badge that says "I am a band parent."

2011 - My Highlights- Pulp at Primavera Festival, Barcelona, nearly 15 years after the first time I saw them live (my first ever concert).- Learning how to ride a bike.- Finally seeing big brother walk down the aisle and get hitched.- Joining the gym, and actually enjoying the benefits of exercise (a lifetime first)- Memorable trips (for many reasons) to Taiwan, Barcelona, Norfolk, New York, Amsterdam, Berlin and Milan.- Discovering a previously untapped talent for air rifle shooting (thanks Holkham County Fair, Norfolk)- Japanese culinary heaven at Nobu.

- Mabel the dog. Every office should have one (photo attached)- The world-famous dumplings at Din Tai Fung, Taipei- First taste of a kangaroo steak (a very intensely-flavoured red meat, best served medium rare)- Albums by Beyoncé, Jay-Z/Kanye, PJ Harvey, Frank Ocean- The entire Formula 1 season and the BBC's brilliant coverage (2012 onwards will not be the same without it).- Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and Submarine films.- Gang Gang Dance at Bowery Ballroom - a live-altering experience.

- Getting a dinner plate with my name on it (pic attached, not taken by me I hasten to add). A nice way to end the year.

Jean-Phillippe Aline, Beggars Group

- second trip in Brazil (food, drink, no hangover, beach, daily jog along Ipanema beach with good music on = REAL LIFE)- sunrise on Angkor Vat Temple, Cambodia, as we say in french : MERVEILLEUX- my stay at villa medici (definitely want to be an artist)- finally met GOD aka Sufjan Stevens - best show I attended this year at Olympia, people went mad- my new turntable- best singles : I was so r&b this yearmotivation by kelly rowlandthinking of you by frank oceannight air by jamie woonswear by inc.hey - kingfar nearer - jamie xx

- albums of the yearSBTRKT - SBTRKTBen Westbeech - There's more to life than thisJill Scott -the light of the sunBon Iver - Bon IverRed Hot + Rio - Various

- movie of the year : Polisse- documentary : Cat Fish (2010)- best TV show : The Killing

Live Highlights/Fav momentsColdplay at Glastonbury (an actual masterclass in how to play to 100,000 people plus)SBTRKT at Field Day (genuine good times side of stage party)Esben and the Witch at SXSW (i think it was the beauty parlour backyard - such intensity at 2.30 in the afternoon should be applauded!)Odd Future at Don't Mess with Texas at SXSW- (chaos rating 10/10)Perfumed Genius in Beijing (cry inducing)PJ Harvey playing and looking like an apparition at PrimaveraTwin Shadow at Scala (upping their live game every time i see them)Glasser at XOYO (something clicked)Edward Sharpe at the Old Vic Tunnels in London (culty and uplifting - loved the 3 nights out of 5 i went to)

Theatre HighlightsJerusalem, Apollo Theatre London - never seen ANYONE (Mark Rylance) be so good at their job EVER - mention it to me - my eyes will glaze over and jaw will drop again and againLondon Road at the National Theatre - if I described what this 'play' was about you'd be confused... It was an amazing and inventive take on language and natural rhythm - so good I went back twiceJulian Barrett's debut in the Chekhov comedy The Government Inspector at The Young Vic - just bawdy, farcical and funny

TV HighlightsBoardwalk Empire - Season Two - artificial violence is funny and i'm a little intrigued by Michael PittThe Sopranos from the start - needs to be done ...Breaking Bad - about to start Season 3 makes me nervy but who've thunk it from Malcolm in the Middle's dadThe Killing - original Danish Version - didn't need to be as long as it was but brilliantly compelling and Danish is so pretty as a language

Masterchef - the celebrity one, the professionals one and the public one... i sort of love the learning aspect and best of all there is no effort needed in watching a show like this, perfect wind down tv

Other stuffgetting a badass tattooThe Royal Wedding for the extra bank holidayDjing at Silent Disco Reading FestivalTravelling to Hong Kong and mainland China for the first time - wowser that was different

and finally

Not so great things of 2011

a newly reformed Pulp at Primavera, Glastonbury & Reading - sorry friends but i wasn't really interested - i enjoyed the first time too muchFeral people taking to the streets to rob and vandalise areas of LondonLewis Hamilton having a mare of grand prix season - stupid red bull and vettelRihanna at the O2 - felt like i was at a gig celebrating her vagina rather than her pop tunes - lame, soulless corporate pop - well done Live Nation

cheers to 2011, bring it on 2012xx

Kathryn Braddick, Beggars Group

2011 has been a pretty awesome year it's the year I became Mrs Rodger, lost 5 stone (70lb) and choose Josh over Beyonce. What a year!!

I got married and we had our first dance on a light up dance floor to The National "Fake Empire" (it's a lot longer than you imagine mainly because we hadn't practiced!!)

In a biggest loser direction and to get ready for the wedding we both decided we need to lose a bit of excess flab and managed to just smash it, sadly I had to give up cider :( !

Glastonbury saw me stood in a field of crazy Beyonce fans and having a eureka moment where I turned to my friend and we decided Josh is fitter and Queens Of The Stone Age were to be our headline act. I still stand by it being the best decision of the weekend - they were amazing! I watched Beyonce a few days later from the comfort of my sofa.

Other highlights include - Spending valentines with Adain Moffat, 'David Comes to Life' (on repeat), hitting LA & E3 with Brigitte but not her singing along to Adele, Biffy at Sonisphere, my work hendo being spent in the best three bars in London - Crobar, Garlic & Shots & finally Big Red, 'How To Be A Woman' written by Caitin Moran. Bring on twentytwelve!

Last week on their website, COLD CAVE's Wesley Eisold posted a pretty spectacular mix of "songs for the summer"; a playlist containing sounds ranging from pure pop to avant garde, some familiar and some obscure, somehow all tied together loosely for this season and certainly worthy of repeat listens.

So Crazy Eddie's opened it's doors 40 years ago (1971 for the math impaired) in Brooklyn, New York. Today, and TODAY ONLY, Amazon MP3 and Ted Leo are offering up his critically lauded and commonly embraced, album from last year, The Brutalist Bricks, for just $3.99. Yes you read that right, $3.99. Coincidence? Probably (thanks Wikipedia), but that really misses the point...YOU'D BE CRAZY NOT TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS. Visit Amazon today for a great deal!

Also for all you West Coasters, remember that Ted's one man show is headed your way this week. For other parts of the country he'll see you in April + May.

And we're also pleased to announce that Ted will be performing at SXSW, solo style, as well:

We just wanted to remind everyone of some good news. If you live on the West Coast then Ted Leo is coming to visit on a run of solo tour dates later this month. Fear not though for all who live east of the Pacific Ocean, Ted loves you too and has just announced another series of solo US tour dates, slated for late April/early May. Please visit Ted's site for more details about his upcoming tour dates and hopefully we'll see you at one of these shows!

Today you'll find Esben and the Witch occupying Drowned In Sound in one of the more peaceful takeovers currently taking place. The band are all over the website with essays discussing a range of influences, from the location of the photo shoot for the Violet Cries artwork, to the power of lyrics and creative writing, memories of their favourite film scores and their personal discovery of the great Scott Walker.

The band started their UK tour last night in Bristol to a sell-out crowd and tonight they play their hometown show in Brighton, before continuing around the UK and Europe, then crossing the pond for shows around the US and Canada, including a stop at SXSW in March.

so it was 6 degrees F (-14 Celsius) when I left for the office this morning. A crisp, bright, and beautiful winter morning. Admittedly I'm in quite a positive head space for a frigid, January, Monday morning but I digress. Esben & The Witch appear to be in an equally friendly mood this winter's day and have premiered their debut album Violet Cries, in full,via Stereogum

and if you missed it last week, please be sure to check out Esben & The Witch's second music video "Warpath" and remember they'll be touring throughout Europe and the US this February + March.

There's no shortage of publications, blogs, label websites, etc., running their own screwy lists of 2010's top recordings, events, etc. How is Matador's annual entry any different? Well for starters, our lists are much longer. Thanks for indulging us this year, folks. The Best Of The Bests Ofs, right after THIS :

Brian Case, The Ponys

Lower Dens - Twin Hand MovementEasily my most listened to album this year. Initially I picked this up because I thought a friend of mine was in it, turned out he recorded it. So good, hope to do some shows together at some point.Spoon - TransferenceSpoon get better and more popular with every release by constantly evolving. This is their best album in my opinion, one of the few bands out their pushing their fans into new territory.Deerhunter - Halcyon DigestAnother band that succeeds by changing. At first I was on the fence with some of this but after seeing it live a few times and a few serious headphone sessions I really got the mood and aura of the recording.

Women - Public StrainThis sounds better and different every time I listen to it. I hope they didn't break up.Anika - AnikaWoke up with this on my ipod one morning - don't remember how I found it but it's easily the coolest music made in 2010.Weekend - SportLike Peter Hook in a Krautrock band. Lots of layers that never layer together, it's great.Veronica Falls - Both singlesKinda suprised more people aren't all over this band - they'll have an album our sometime 2011 that will be my favorite for the year.Brian Eno - Small Craft on a Milk SeaWas really suprised by this, the guys he's collaborating with are excellent. Everything about this - label, art, music - was really thought out and tasteful.Soft Moon - Soft MoonThis is sneaking in right at the end of the year, very impressed with this guy.Thread Pulls - New ThoughtsHeard this on the New Noise Podcast, really sparse - lots of space, just getting into it but I like it a lot.Beach House - Teen DreamWhat a great year for music, this record is perfect.

Andrew Earles

1. Brace Beldon’s commentary…MC’ing Gonerfest VII and ‘tween-song banter at Chaos in Tejas. I welcome a general show of balls as we approach the Great Culture Wars of 20132. Chaos in Tejas 2010 – I hate festivals. I love this one.3. Fucked Up “Heir Apparent”4. Boris Amplifier Worship reissue (Southern Lord)5. Ty Segall – Melted (Goner) – Early impressions made me ignore the development Ty has gone through over the past couple of years. Please, more albums that make me look really dumb. Please. That’s not sarcasm.6. Sailors With Wax Wings (Angel Oven)7. The Young Voyagers of Legend (Mexican Summer)

8. Kylesa Spiral Shadow (Relapse)9. Coliseum House With A Curse (Temporary Residence)10. The completion and publication of my first book.11. Being at peace with the predictability of the previous ten entries.12.

Jeffrey Jensen

1. I like going to the US Open Qualifying Tournament. It’s free. It’s not crowded. You get to see rising talents like the staggeringly gorgeous Mandy Minella. Hubba Hubba!!2. Being from Kansas City, I’m a little snobby about BBQ. I’ve never thought anywhere else compared (yes, I’ve been to NC, Memphis and Texas). But I have to say Luling City Market deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as Bryant’s.3. I and I got really into drinking Magnum Tonic Wine for the month of February. It’s really hard to find stateside which is probably a good thang.4. The day the tornado touched down I was stranded in Flushing and eventually wound up at Ilda’s Place II in Elmhurst. This recommendation is directed towards those twits that audibly lament the “lack of grit” in NYC.5. I purchased this suspiciously unblemished Volvo Wagon off an old man for a song.6. I finally found a copy of the Abdul and Cleopatra single by Jonathan Richman which is backed with my SONG OF THE YEAR…..”Carol”.7. Jimmy Webb’s performance at Stuyvesant High School in July was a treat.8. Getting vibed by Sasha Spielberg (I swear) at Louie’s Lunch in New Haven stands out.9. I was asked to interview one of my heroes the great Tom Wilson on Viva Radio. Buy his LP All-American Boy from his website you fools!!10. I forgot how much fun it is to attend the Brimfield Antique Show.11. The publication of Andy’s Husker Du book and the opening of Ian and Jade’s record store (Wombleton) also made 2010 less bleak.

- Skyline Drive in Shenandoah- Moby Dick. (Not the Bonham version). Why did I wait so long?- furtive glimpse of fabled 'rock star treatment' in all-you-can-drink press tour of northern Europe (unfortunately wasted on me)- Hiking 10 miles to my truck through the Utah wilderness the morning of our show at Matador 21- moment of panic when low-gear 4WD would not disengage (same morning).- turning into a blithering fanboy in front of a very gracious Liz Phair like it was 1996

- Hiking the Zion Narrows alone- receiving a cowrie shell from the island of Kili, where the people of Bikini Atoll still await permission to return home after 60+years.- weathering critical scorn directed at Blue Water White Death album (which I love)- Thor's tour rules going viral, to my delight (and chagrin). I think it was the picture that did it.- Making plans to disappear into the tropics- Realizing the beauty of the Vox AC30- Eating loquats from the tree in Miwa and Reuben's front yard- "Newly-Weds Song" by Jim Pepper- "The Reason Young People Use Drugs" by Abner Jay- "You Fucking People Make Me Sick" by SWANS- Argiope spider in the prickly pear by my mailbox. Huge, beautiful, and totally evil.- Playing the London Barbican, Tavastia in Helsinki, Bowery and WMH in NYC, the unforgettably weird Outland in Columbus, OH, and The Off Festival in Poland...- ...where I watched Jordan and Kim and our soundman Phil Jones dance onstage with the Flaming Lips.- Getting robbed in Washington, DC - only consolation was feeling of unease the thieves must have felt when they opened Thor's sketchbook.- Palo Santo Marron ale by Dogfish Head. I'm pretty sure they had me in mind.- Planning for The Island Arc performance in January.- "Cotton-Eyed Joe," performed by Nina Simone

Sandy Miranda, Fucked Up

Pleasant Moments

Six Flags Magic Mountain in January.Damian breaking edge on tour.Moscow, Russia (note the super fine statues in the subway).

The year I didn't miss TV and discovered boxsets (a bit late, I know). Two in particular Mad Men & 30 Rock. Mad Men fuelling my love of Don Draper and my desire to grow up to be all hips & tits just like Joan Holloway. 30 Rock fuelling my love for Jack Donaghy and gaining fashion tips from Liz Lemon.

Primavera, Primavara, Primavara this was the first year I'd ever been. What more could you want, nice weather, ace bands and a festival full of sunbunt indie boys!

The Matador @ 21 boxset on shuffle, reigniting my love for Pavement and the joy of them being followed by Fucked Up soundtracking my epic daily commutes across London and the daily fuck ups of TFL.

The year I favoured Twitter over Facebook, I finally settled on a name and had enough with the 100's of holiday shots of people you barely know or even like for that matter. Twitter is short and to the point. There are two very good reasons to be on twitter: @dianainheaven - I am looking forward to her narration of the royal wedding next year and @ViztopTips advise & tips on everything you ever need to know.

The year me & Mat moved into our own flat (no more shared houses for me) and my demand for a huge ruby bit of bling came true and we got engaged!

MomentsPulling up to The PalmsPulling away from The PalmsAnd special props to my wife for helping to bring Lute into the world. Couldn't have done it without her!

Jeremy Goldstein, Beggars Group

Top 10 records

1. Sound of Guns - What Came From Fire - Distiller. UK guitar rock that would fit in perfectly in 1995. Which is obviously right up my alley.2. Hurts - Happiness - RCA. Depeche Mode meets Spandau Ballet meets Human League? Super dramatic, super stylized '80s-esque synthpop.3. Dinosaur Pile-Up - Growing Pains - Friends Vs. Records. Some English lads listened a lot to Nirvana's Nevermind and then decided to rock their own poppier version.4. Union Sound Set - Start/Stop - Mighty Atom. Reminiscent of early Elbow, plus the singer is a United fan. So there's that.

5. Makaras Pen - Makaras Pen - Projekt. First of three shoegaze records on my list. Like a FAR less creepy Cranes. Just be wary of the videos.6. Exit Calm - Exit Calm - Sonic Unyon. Up the shoegaze revival. So ready for it. And so it seems, are Exit Calm. 1990 was never referenced so wondrously.7. Film School - Fission - Hi-Speed Soul. More shoegazy and Lorelei Plotcyzk's vocals sound like Shop Assistants/Motorcycle Boy's Alex Taylor, whose voice is like gold to me.8. Jonsi - Go - XL. I love Sigur Ros, so of course I love this. His voice is truly amazing.9. Middle Class Rut - No Name No Color - Bright Antenna. Duo that sounds like Fugazi meets Jane's Addiction. And from Sacramento, so they probably like Scandia.10. The National - High Violet - 4AD. Brooklyn's faves write another extra-dense record that rewards the listener for immersion with new layers to unwrap on each play.

Top 10 stuff

1. My wife. I know I gave her a shout in my Write About Love entry, but just humor me. Anyone who puts up with my ass AND is as awesome as she is deserves another mention or 10. Also deserving of top billing in 2010: Monkey and Kitty.2. The Tofu Delight at Paseo in Seattle. The best vegetarian sandwich I've ever eaten. Total game changer. Like go straight there from the airport game changer. Like take foodporn shots when you are there and taunt your friends who aren't there game changer.3. Matador at 21 party in Las Vegas. Are you kidding me? How could this weekend have been any better? Great bands, great shows, great hotel rooms, and great vibes. Lombardi, Gerard, and Patrick: congratulations. You threw the best party in the history of the world.4. Cicada in London. Still as delicious as ever. Especially the chilli-salt squid and the chilli tofu.5. The World Cup. Some of the matches may have been boring, but three matches a day for like two weeks? Make it happen every year! Watching video of the reactions to Landon Donovan's last gasp goal in the USA-Algeria match still makes me tear up.6. Blue Bottle, Stumptown, and Intelligentsia coffees. You make trips to SF, Portland, Seattle, LA, and Chicago so much better.7. Eze, France. An amazing Medieval city perched high above the Mediterranean off the road connecting Monaco and Nice. A must visit on the Cote D'Azur.8. Vampire Weekend's Contra debuting at #1 on the Billboard top-200. First time for an indie band that had never been on a major. Such a great way to kick off the year.9. The Ted Leo and the Pharmacists record release show/karaoke event. One of the most fun gives I've attended in ages. And I don't even like karaoke.10. The recent(ish) upswing in the preponderance of proper cocktail bars, in NYC and around the country. Nice to know you can get a well-made cocktail in so many cities.

The War On Drugs - Future WeatherGirls - Broken Dreams ClubGlasser - RingThe Bob Dylan Mono Boxed SetReading Anthony Bourdain's Medium Raw 3 timesGoing to Matador at 21 in Las Vegas- I think I'm still recovering from Vegas, I basically got to see all my favorite bands...in a row...in vegas...over and over. Kind of one of the best times I've ever had.Seeing Kanye West at The Bowery Ballroom- Because rants sound better in person!Getting engaged to my beautiful fiancee Elizabeth

Sonya Kolowrat, Beggars Group

1) Greg Cartwright and all he does: The Oblivians, Reigning Sound, The Parting Gifts and more.

2) Superchunk - their new album is SO good, and they blew my mind in Vegas.3) Las Vegas for Matador at 21 - I was so excited to get to go to this...thanks GC, CL and PA!4) Speaking of Vegas, TED LEO - is this guy the hardest working man in show business or what? He deserves a LOT of respect and everyone's love and if you haven't bought his records, you are dumb.5) Boston - I revisited Boston for the first time in way too long, for a sad reason (RIP Billy Ruane), but this town is special and the music scene there is so tight and supportive. It was nice to visit again and I hope that my next visit there is soon.6) NPR Story Of The Day/PRI This American Life - thanks to listening to these shows on my iphone to/from work, I am able to drown out all the douchebags next to me on the subway.7) Eskuche headphones - these headphones are swank and make me feel a lot cooler than I really am on said subway.8/9) Ariel Pink/Deerhunter - These dudes are too smart for their own good, and make beautiful records. They are only on the same line because they are both 4AD releases, and even though I didn't work on them, everyone around me did...so they get to share.10) Momofuku Milk Bar - yum. Rosemary soft serve? Crack pie? Cinnamon bun pie? 'nuff said.Jonathan Lang, Beggars Group

Roman's Revenge - Nicki Minaj Featuring Eminem: Although Pink Friday was somewhat of a letdown, it was nice to hear both Nicki and Eminem sound downright nutso. Not to mention the sick and twisted off-kilter beat laid down by Swizz Beatz is off-setting in its own right. Why couldn't Pink Friday be all like this?!

Fountain Stairs - Deerhunter: By the time Halcyon Digests hits this track, it almost feels like the band is taking a victory lap with it's righteous anthemic guitar led chorus. I mean they just had a career moment a track before with Helicopter! But there isn't a moment on the rest of the record that gives off this much warmth and a feeling of instant nostalgia like this one. A fuzzy hazy memory is propelled forward into clarity with charging drums and forceful guitar bliss.6t

Sentimental X's - Broken Social Scene

Oh, Maker - Janelle Monae: An amazing cut from an album seemingly overflowing with them, it was hard to pick one. I chose "Oh, Maker" solely for Janelle's vocals. Her vocal runs are gorgeous, and never feel forced. She's one of those people seemingly born to create amazing music, and I have no doubt that she'll continue to do so.

Diplomat's Son - Vampire Weekend: If you would have told me 3 years ago when I saw Vampire Weekend play their first album release show that they would have put out a track as weird as "Diplomat's Son" I wouldn't have believed you. But after hearing Contra, it all makes perfect sense. The whole record is the perfect balance indie-pop and eccentricities that run much deeper than mashing together genres. Listen to how easily this track just dumps production ideas on top of one another, that all blend together seamlessly with the story being told. Definitely one of the best tracks of the year

Lemonworld - The National: While most of High Violet feels like you are being walloped with an emotional sledgehammer(not that I'm complaining), I found solace in the warmth emanating from this track. The band puts their guns away for a little while, and dials one down. The interplay between the muted but steady drumming, and the almost dubby(!) guitars all coupled with slight orchestration simmering underneath it all makes "Lemonworld" feel like a warm light in the storm that is High Violet.

Monster - Kanye West Featuring Rick Ross, Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj, and Bon Iver: Oh man, I went insane when this track came out. Particularly because Nicki's verse is as delirious as it is amazing. She rhymes Tonka, Wonka, Gangsta, and Sri Lanka in the first bar of her verse, and is able to switch from furious fire monster, to teasing her detractors in playful child's voice all within one minute of a verse. This track sums up almost everything that is amazing about Nicki Minaj. Her ability to pack more personality into 40 seconds of a song then most people can do in entire album, all while instilling fear and making you laugh, and spitting fire to boot. In her own words "The Best Bitch Doin' It"

Only Girl (In The World) - Rihanna: Stargate and Rihanna continue to be a force to be reckoned with when it comes to making serious pop jams. "Rude Boy" paired her icy robotic vocals with island rhythms all packaged around a ridiculously well constructed & tight pop song. "Only Girl" continues Stargate & Rihanna's winning streak with a four-on-the-floor beat backed by ALMOST cheesy Eurodisco synths. The chorus is a home run, allowing Rihanna's vocals to soar above the mix, something that she never does in her songs. While she may not have the most interesting persona as some of the other Divas out there, she's the only one that consistently puts out jams, all while keeping it interesting.

TV Shows

Community (NBC) - This show is the best thing on TV right now hands down.

Breaking Bad (AMC) - Season 3 took this show to "The Wire & The Sopranos level"Mad Men (AMC) - While not my favorite season of this show, it had the best episode of the series run so far. "The Suitcase" was a serious achievement for a series full of em.The Walking Dead (AMC) - Although only 6 episodes so far, this show was awesome and I can't wait for more.Futurama (Comedy Central) - A welcome return to the funniest cartoon on TV.

Annette Lee, Beggars Group

2010 - the highlightsThe birth of my nephew Oliver James MurrayKrakow adventures (mostly fuelled by vodka and Vogues, by necessity rather than enjoyment) *Moroccan adventures (Men of Morocco please note - I do not answer to the names "China", "Japan" and "Sexy") #Norfolk Broads adventures (lessons learned: never EVER drink and drive a boat; don't set off on a camping expedition at midnight, you will get lost; wearing a T-shirt bearing the word "BULLSHIT" won't go down well amongst the locals in a quiet seaside town)A priceless mid-winter 48 hours with Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti in LA where I appeared to bring the British weather with me (it was still warmer than our summers in the UK. Figures.).The National finally getting the attention they deserve.Bands that I actually care about reforming (stand up Take That, Pulp, Godspeed You! Black Emperor)Getting sunburn - sunburn! actual sun! - at a highly memorable GlastonburyATP (of course)Deerhunter at Webster Hall, NYC.Being beaten at bowling by a four year old boy (a new low)Getting sucked back into Twitter againMad Men season 4 (I fully endorse the idea of martini lunches please bosses)Many many weddings. Please guys, stop getting married.

* There is a reason why tourists don't go there in January - because it's TOO FUCKING COLD.# There is a reason why tourists don't go there in July - because it's TOO FUCKING HOT.

Hector Montes, Beggars Group

Twenty-one things that provided brief respites from the endlessly terror-vomiting Hellscape of life on Earth in the year 2010 (with selected comments):1. Matador at 21 in Las Vegas, NV, October 1 - 3: Not just the musical event of a lifetime, but an opportunity for some top-notch tweets.2. Titus Andronicus - The Monitor

3. Tyvek - Nothing Fits: 100% pure adrenaline (with apologies to the Point Break marketing team, wherever they are).4. Lazy Sundays with Colleen and Bucket, the two loveliest ladies in Brooklyn.5. Community6. Deerhunter - Halcyon Digest7. Watching Brett Favre come to the realization that he definitely should have retired last year.8. Tristan Perich - 1-Bit Symphony: On this list as both composition and artifact (leaning perhaps a bit more toward the latter).9. The Fall - Your Future Our Clutter / The Wonderful And Frightening World Of The Fall (Omnibus Edition): I wouldn’t say that Mark E. Smith has aged gracefully, but a listen to the massive Wonderful And Frightening reissue reminds us that grace was never really his thing anyway.10. Touch And Go: The Complete Hardcore Punk Zine ’79-’8311. Netflix streaming12. Michael Kupperman. That Snake ‘n’ Bacon wasn’t a massive hit for Adult Swim is an indictment of our entire lousy culture.13. Shearwater - The Golden Archipelago: “People ask me what kind of music we play and I say, ‘Well...’” - Jonathan Meiburg, onstage at Shearwater’s 11/12/10 Music Hall of Williamsburg show14. Pantha du Prince - Black Noise15. Man…or Astro-man? reunion shows. I have to commend any band that has the balls to sell “space dust” at their merch table.16. Tom McCarthy - C17. Glasser - Ring18. Sun City Girls - Funeral Mariachi19. Yo La Tengo at Maxwell’s for night 7 of Hanukkah, 12/7/10, with openers Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy & The Cairo Gang and Kristen Schaal & Kurt Braunohler, plus Nels Cline playing second guitar for most of YLT’s set.20. Three records that should have been on my list last year but weren’t: Shit And Shine - 229-2299 Girls Against Shit!; Wild Beasts - Two Dancers; Mi Ami - Watersports.21. Christopher Hitchens publicly coming to terms with his own mortality. I hope I can still write about him in the present tense this time next year.

Todd Netter, Beggars Group

Great, Memorable, and simply Moments in Matador History: 2010High Point = Matador 21, The Lost Weekend. WOW what a great time! I'm so happy I was able to attend + celebrate with everyone. Congrats again Gerard, Chris, and Patrick.Low Point = Jimmy Lee Lindsey's premature and unfortunate death. A life lived on his on terms. We'll remember you forever.In No Particular Order or Relevance:Yo La Tengo = the Hanukkah shows were back at Maxwell's this year.Pavement = reunion tour, saw them 4 times (Pomona/Fox Theater, Coachella, NY Summer Stage, & Matador 21 in Vegas).Ted Leo & The Pharmacists = the Bottled In Cork video. I think Ted is onto something with this Musical Theater idea.

The New Pornographers = meeting a real astronaut (Michael J Massimino) at the Letterman Show.Harlem = Victim's of Sonic Attack party at Charlie's Bar during SXSW.Glasser = her Fader cover, amazing!Esben & The Witch = the Marching Song video, I still have bruises from watching that.Kurt Vile = Square Shells EP for free (even if it was just for one day), as Crazy Eddie might say...we're INSANE.Belle & Sebastian = Write about love campaign. I didn't myself but I love everyone who did.Mission of Burma = their Aquarium Drunkard session, especially Dirt.Fucked Up = Natalie Judge's stage dive at Red 7 in Austin during SXSW.Guided By Voices = New Year's Eve at Irving Plaza in NYC!?!?

Non-Matador Bands/Albums I liked this year a little more than other bands/albums I also liked. In no particular order of course.Superchunk "Majesty Shredding"Bear In Heaven "Beast Rest Forth Mouth"Sufjan Stevens "The Age of Adz"Fresh & Onlys "Play It Strange"Matthew Dear "Black City"Twin Shadow "Forget"Caribou "Swim"Surfer Blood "Astro Coast"

5 songs from 2010 that have me excited for new music in 2011:Smith Westerns "Weekend"Times New Viking "Try Harder"Dirty Gold "California Sunrise"Asura "Silver Trees"Ganglians "My House"

Hagino Tiger Reid (Hostess, Japan)

Konichiwa, Somethings I remember from 2010.

Cute.Karaoke.Chris Chu.Jonsi "Go".Plum Wine.Cycling in Tokyo.Climbing Mount Fuji.Jay Z at Summersonic.The xx - just in general.Finally getting Ariel Pink.Pavement at Studio Coast.Mogwai at Metamorphosis.My first Japanese boyfriend.Tokyo Disney Land with my x.Eating too much Japanese Purin.Touhachi and Kinfolk in Nakameguro.Mount Kimbie album "Crooks and Lovers".Weekend away at Zushi, Beach near Tokyo.Beach House "Teen Dream" is an amazing album.Listening to full albums and watching shows sober.Listening to Interpol full blast on the way to Fuji Rock.Watching Japan make it to the final 16 of the World Cup.Feeling the powerful goth vibes from Zola Jesus "Stridulum II"Wanting to marry gay men Perfume Genius and Owen Pallett.Rostam of Vampire Weekend, becoming my Japanese brother.Finishing reading my first novel in Japanese. Haruki Murakami IQ84Witnessing two car crashes at the same place on consecutive nights.Listening to "England" from The National's "High Violet" and feeling sad.Feeling Homesick after watching Arcade Fire's "The Wilderness Downtown".Japanese food, thank you Ramen, Gyoza, Yakiniku, Nabe, Sushi, Niku Jaga etc.Watching Matador 21 online from Tokyo with Natalie Judge Matador in Las Vegas.Lots of fun taking visiting bands to Golden Ball Takoyaki Bar and RokuBar in Shibuya.Moving from London to Tokyo and working for Matador/Beggars has beenfun. Here is to 2011.

Deaf Wish - Mercy LP - Somebody please put this out in the States, or give me $ to.Superchunk - Majesty Shredding & Live at Bowery - totalled every other '90's Alt-Geez reunion tour on the circuit this year.TNV - forthcoming LP, blows doorsSilk Flowers - Ltd. Form - the new New RomanticAnika - s/t - Not traditionally a Portishead supporter, but this is too good to deny.Tyvek - Nothing Hurts - ok, maybe this is the best hardcore/punk record of the year too.

EventsMatador @ 21. Highlight of the year.Reading Festival. Reliving my youth.Running a sub 45 minute 10k. Felt like I was dying, but lived to tell the tale.Managing to leave the UK for the first time in nearly 7 (!) years, visiting an amazing beach and Paris of the first time.The 'Flat 11' perfect autumn Sunday with friends.

Vegas highlights(apparently) Playing Jose from Harlem at basketball in the Hardwood suite. Just wish I could remember it.Mike V. 7am, Saturday morning. 'The balcony photo'.Archers of Loaf karaoke singalong on the last nightEsben failing at gambling, winning at free beers.High on sugar and beer, low on sleep, jumping around to Piebald in my room at about 9 am on Saturday all alone.

Vegas lo-lightsWaking up with a monumental hangover to a series of messages from an (increasingly frustrated) Nils. Sorry Nils.Nearly being sick on Esben and the Witch. Sorry Esben.Meeting Ted Leo, not remembering we'd (apparently) been talking for quite a while for the night before. Sorry Ted.Throwing Claire in a bath, fully clothed. Sorry Claire (I still blame Robby).Having my first american burrito from Taco Bell (actually about 1am, stuck in Virginia on the way home). Worst burrito ever.

Natalie Judge, Matador Records

5 things, thought about in 5 minutes, that happened this year, which were pretty good.

VEGAS (Pretty sure everyone is going to write this) I finally got to see Chavez and GBV.5 Weddings in one year - I have them down to a fine art now. Special mention goes to Gabe - my first wedding off UK soil.Watching Pavement play The Hexx at Brixton Academy.Sonar http://2011.sonar.es/en/ with Delorean - Taking a flight with Alex Pasternak of Lemonade DJing at the front - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvpfNAiyLPMSmittys. This should be in my list every year.

Next Tuesday, September 7 Interpol will be playing an exclusive event in the parking lot of Space 15 Twenty (1520 N. Cahuenga Blvd.) to kick off the release of their new self-titled album which drops that day.

Pre-order now or buy the album on 9/7 at any of the stores listed below* to receive a guaranteed-entry wristband to the event while supplies last.

*If you preorder the album online via the Matador Store, simply put "LA OUTSTORE" in the comments section to receive guaranteed entry while supplies last.Our guaranteed entry list is now full.

Even though we'd been convinced that all that slaving away at the myriad marketing gimmicks, "promo opportunities" and general suffering we put bands through would leave us with some very exhausted talent, it turns out that these guys just can't stop doing thangs... read on to see what some of our beloved have been up to.

Though she's on tour with the New Pornographers, as we speak, Kathryn Calder just put the finishing touches on her new solo record. On August 11 the world'll be treated to 'Are You My Mother?' which features an all-star band featuring Neko, Kurt and Todd from The New Pornographers and a handful of other Canadian musical luminaries. Check File Under: Music for more info.

Mogwaiwill be releasing the pretty stunning looking live LP entitled, 'Special Moves'to coincide with the release of their first live film 'Burning', which was filmed in Brooklyn during the band's tour in support of 'The Hawk Is Howling' in April of 2009. Check Mogwai's site for info on ordering the record and where you can catch screenings of 'Burning'.

Matmos' Drew Daniel and Martin Schmitt have teamed up with So Percussion on a collaboration entitled 'Treasure State' -- expect to have your mind twisted on July 8. Cantaloupe Records sez: "The record had a complex gestation period: at the invitation of Brett Allen, the members of Matmos and So Percussion went to the SnowGhost Studios in Whitefish, Montana-- the Treasure State which gives the album its title-- and collaboratively generated the bulk of the songs. San Francisco plunderphonicist Wobbly then chopped and edited the results on several tracks, and finally, with frequent interventions from Matmos' M. C. Schmidt, "fifth" So Percussion member and producer Lawson White overdubbed extra elements, processed, and mixed the results." There's a handful of live dates, to boot!

In this fascinating Complex article, DJs Kon and Amir list the 50 greatest samples of all time, with sound files of the originals and of their uses. Ranging from David Axelrod to the Honeydrippers, from Busta Rhymes to Public Enemy, the article feels topical now that Matador is releasing hip hop again.

ABOUT

The MataBlog is edited by Matador Records’ co-moaner Gerard Cosloy and individual entries are the work of whoever’s name is next to them. If you enjoyed something in the MataBlog, thank you very much! If there was something you found particularly troubling, please be advised that a) maybe you should read it again and b) the contents of this blog do not necessarily represent the opinions of Matador Records, Beggars Group, the combined staff of either company, nor the Matador artist roster. Opinions are like friends — hardly anyone has one worth listening to.